A Family Nursing Care Plan (FNCP) is a structured approach designed to address the health needs of families, focusing on both individual and collective health concerns. This plan serves as a blueprint for nurses to systematically minimize or eliminate identified health problems through tailored interventions and clearly defined goals. The FNCP is important in promoting health, preventing disease, and enhancing the overall well-being of family members.
The nursing process is still implemented in making this type of care plan. It is important to keep in mind that Family Nursing Care Plans are unique since it is continuous in nature. A community health nurse must be able to understand that he or she must keep on updating the nursing care plan as the family is a dynamic unit of the community.
The FNCP is defined as a systematic plan that outlines the nursing interventions necessary to address specific health issues within a family. It aims to:
- Identify health problems and potential risks.
- Set achievable goals for health improvement.
- Implement interventions that are evidence-based and tailored to family dynamics.
- Evaluate the effectiveness of the care provided and adjust as necessary.
Key Features of Family Nursing Care Plans
Holistic Approach: The FNCP considers the family as a unit, addressing both individual needs and family dynamics.
Systematic Process: The development of an FNCP involves a logical analysis of data collected during assessments, leading to informed decision-making regarding interventions.
Continuity of Care: The plan is not static; it evolves based on ongoing evaluations and changing family circumstances.
Collaborative Development: Family members are involved in creating the care plan, ensuring it reflects their values, preferences, and specific health needs.
Process in Developing a Family Nursing Care Plan
- Assessment Phase –this phase happens on the first and succeeding home visits. The community nurse conducts a thorough assessment of the family’s health status, including existing conditions, risk factors, and social determinants of health. This phase also includes identifying prioritized health conditions or problems based on severity and modifiability.
2. Identification of the Problem/s –In this phase, the community nurse creates a list of the problems cited. Prioritization of the needs must be applied. A nurse will formulate nursing diagnoses related to the identified issues. Common diagnoses may include wellness states, health deficits, or health threats.
3. Formulation of Goals and Objectives – this stage pertains to goal-setting. Goals and objectives must be measurable, attainable, realistic, and time-oriented.
4. Plot Nursing Interventions– Develop a detailed plan of interventions that specify actions to be taken by both the nursing team and family members. Interventions may include education on healthy practices, referrals to specialists, or community resources for support. - Evaluation- the nurse regularly assesses the effectiveness of the interventions against the established goals. This stage will be the determining stage of whether the goals and objectives have been met or not. Nursing interventions can be modified at this stage. The care plan is adjusted as needed based on feedback from family members and observed outcomes.
Importance of Family Nursing Care Plans
The FNCP plays an important role in the following aspects:
Individualized Care. Tailoring interventions to meet the unique needs of each family member enhances engagement and compliance with health recommendations.
Promoting Health Literacy. Educating families about their health conditions fosters better decision-making regarding their care.
Facilitating Communication. A well-documented FNCP serves as a communication tool among healthcare providers, ensuring continuity and coherence in care delivery.
Example of Family Nursing Care Plan
Case: This is a case of S. Family. S. Family is composed of 5 children and both parents were alive. Upon observation, the family practices improper hygiene in eating and waste disposal. The 5 children have 2 to 3 years of age gaps, having the youngest child to be 1 year old and the oldest to be 9 years old.
Problem Identified: Improper Hygiene
Date Identified: January 5, 2012 7:00AM
Date Evaluated: January 5, 2012 1:00PM
Problem Cues:
Subjective data: “Dahil sa dami ng anak ko, minsan ang dudungis na nila. Mabuti na lang nandyan ang panganay ko na si Nene, siya yung nagbabantay sa dalawang kapatid niya.” [Because I have so many children, sometimes they get really dirty. Luckily, my eldest, Nene, is there to look after her two younger siblings.]
Objective data: Nene, her nine-year-old daughter cuddles her younger brother Jose who has flu at this time. She manages to feed her other sibling with bare hands without handwashing. The fingernails and toenails of these children were not trimmed properly and filled with dirt. The other two siblings came into the house sweating and their feet were smudged with mud. Jose suddenly wet his shorts and Nene must clean him up. The place wherein he peed was not cleaned but left only. The pillow that was affected by the urine was just placed outside for the sun to dry.
Family Nursing Diagnosis: Inability to provide a home environment conducive to health and maintenance secondary to unhygienic practices
Goal of Care: Within 3 hours of nursing interventions, the family will be able to recognize the current home environment and health practices. They must be able to identify healthy practices and be able to practice them habitually. These hygienic measures are as follows: proper hand washing, proper waste disposal and proper house cleaning.
Objectives:
Within 3 hours of nursing interventions, the family will be able to:
1. Recognize the need for proper handwashing before and after meals as well as after using the toilet
2. Enumerate factors that promote in unhygienic practices
3. be knowledgeable in ways on how to maintain hygiene
4. Accept the importance of proper hygiene in the activities of daily living
5. Exhibit the desire to change the current unhygienic practices
Interventions & Rationale:
- Assess the home environment. Understanding the current state of the home environment will help identify specific areas needing improvement.
- Check if the family is aware of their health practices. This will help the nurse to know the severity of the health problem.
- Demonstrate the proper handwashing. The nurse must perform the proper handwashing technique so that the family will be able to see the proper technique. A return demonstration will be necessary so that the nurse can assess if the family members can absorb the lesson.
- Emphasize the importance of proper hygiene in preventing health problems. This step will enable the family members to know the consequences if health practices were not observed in their families.
- Provide resources for cleaning supplies. Access to affordable cleaning supplies can facilitate the implementation of hygienic practices.
- Listen to the concerns of the family regarding the hindrance to practice such hygienic practices. This will be a way of keeping in touch with the family and facilitate them to be able to find concrete ways to achieve the goal of observing hygienic practices.
- Demonstrate proper house cleaning techniques. Visual demonstration can help the family understand and practice effective cleaning methods.
Tools:
1. Home Visits
2. Diagram of the path of infection, steps incorrect hand washing
3. Demonstration
4. Hand washing supplies
5. Time and Effort for the family members as well as the nurse
Evaluation:
After 3 hours of nursing interventions, the goal was met. The parents were able to demonstrate proper handwashing. The siblings who were five years old and above were able to wash their hands with assistance from their parents. Lunch was served and the children filed a line to wash their hands before and after the meal
A Family Nursing Care Plan is an important tool for nurses working with families in various healthcare settings. By systematically addressing health concerns through assessment, diagnosis, intervention, and evaluation, nurses can significantly impact a family’s health. The collaborative nature of FNCPs not only empowers families but also fosters a supportive environment conducive to achieving optimal health.
References:
- Maglaya et. al.(2009). Nursing Practice in the Community. 5th edition. Argonauta Corporation,
